Introduction to an Iconic Shoe Brand
Hush Puppies is a classic American footwear brand that has been around since 1958. Known for their comfortable, colorful and casual shoes, Hush Puppies was one of the first companies to introduce a more relaxed style of footwear at a time when most shoes were formal and stiff.
The brand takes pride in spreading optimism and comfort through quality craftsmanship and whimsical design details. Read on for a detailed overview of what makes Hush Puppies unique, a deep dive into some of their best selling shoe styles for men and women and guidance on whether these playful kicks are worth adding to your casual wardrobe.
A Look Back at Hush Puppies History
The origin story behind the Hush Puppies name is enough to make you smile…
In the late 1950s, sore and tired feet were often referred to as "barking dogs." Hush Puppies set out to create a new kind of comfortable shoe that could help relax tired dogs (feet) with their soft suede shoes. The new informal styles quickly caught on as the shoe of choice for casual occasions in the early 60s.
Instead of using traditional dark browns and blacks, Hush Puppies designers embraced bright new colors like cherry red, sunshine yellow and robin‘s egg blue. Hush Puppies brought fun, effortless style and carefree comfort to footwear.
Over the past 60+ years, the brand has continued to evolve with the times while keeping innovation, optimism and quality craftsmanship at the forefront.
Fun fact: Hush Puppies even has a real-life basset hound mascot named Jason who helps represent the playful spirit of the brand!
Signature Comfort Features Explained
So how exactly do Hush Puppies provide such reliable comfort decade after decade? They incorporate several proprietary technologies into their shoe designs:
Bounce® Technology: Made from high-quality latex foam, Bounce offers cushy shock absorption and a lively rebound with every step.
HPO2FlexTM: This special framework has flex grooves that allow more natural foot motion while you walk.
ZeroGTM: An ultralight construction that cuts down on weight for extended wear.
BioTrax® Footbed: Contoured to match the foot‘s three natural flex zones for customized support.
Many styles also have the option to add a customized Hush Puppies Footprint Removable Insole. This insole matches the imprint of your individual feet for tailored comfort and support.
By pairing these advanced comfort technologies with flexible materials and sturdy traction outsoles, Hush Puppies has earned its reputation for quality comfort shoes.
Top Rated Women‘s Shoes from Hush Puppies
With sixty years in the game and counting, Hush Puppies has more than perfected their collection of women‘s shoes spanning flats, sandals, slip-ons, oxfords, booties, heels and more.
Below are 5 of the stand-out favorites that showcase Hush Puppies attention to feminine style, versatility and dependable comfort with every wear:
1. Chaste Ballet Flat
The iconic Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet Flat remains a beloved bestselling staple season after season. Featuring a round toe, durable slip-resistant outsoles and unbeatable cushioning, these are the perfect flats for everything from weekend wear to casual office attire.
Over 3,200 Amazon reviewers praise how these flats remain comfortable even during extended wear. The quality leather upper material also offers consistent stretch that forms perfectly to your feet over time.
As one happy customer put it: "I‘m on my feet 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and my feet never hurt!"
Price: $39.95 – $149.95
Features:
- Soft leather or suede upper
- Cushioned latex foam footbed
- Textile lining with moisture management
- Slip-resistant durable traction outsole
2. Heaven Slip-On Loafer
For ladies seeking a professional shoe that can transition effortlessly from meetings to happy hour, the Heaven Slip-On hits that sweet spot. A tassel loafer silhouette gets updated with playful stud details across the toe and side stretch panels that allow your feet to move naturally.
The dual-density memory foam footbed delivers cloud-like comfort that puts this loafer cut above other work shoes. One repeat customer raves "I have very sensitive feet, but these shoes are like walking on air!"
Price: $69.95 – $89.95
Features:
- Leather upper with stretch side panels
- Memory foam cushioned insole
- Textile lining manages moisture
- Lightweight flexible outsole
3. Mazin Cayto Bootie
This elegant ankle boot will quickly become your cool weather go-to for sophisticated style you can walk in all day long. The inside zipper allows for easy on and off access over jeans or leggings while the outside zipper makes for a chic accent.
The built-in comfort wedge provides subtle lift that doesn‘t sacrifice cushion. One thrilled customer declared this her "most comfortable heeled boot ever!"
For colder temps, the nubuck leather and soft faux fur lining will keep your toes nice and cozy.
Price: $29.99 – $149.95
Features:
- Nubuck leather upper
- Faux fur lining for warmth
- Foam cushioned footbed
- Built-in comfort wedge
- Durable traction outsole
4. Lonna T-Strap Sandal
Bring resort-style luxury to your warm weather wardrobe with these modern leather sandals. An asymmetrical mix of textures like raffia straps, soft nubuck footbed and smooth saddle leather come together to create an incredibly unique look.
The adjustable hook-and-loop straps across the toe and ankle ensure customizable comfort. As one reviewer declared: "They are so cute and still comfortable enough to wear when I‘m running around all day!"
Price: $29.99 – $59.99
Features:
- Intricately woven raffia & leather straps
- Cushioned leather footbed
- Flexible textured outsole
- Hook-and-loop adjustability
5. Side Street Sneaker
Inspired by classic court style tennis shoes, the Side Street Sneakers serve up laid back throwback appeal. The clean white leather upper sets off striking color pops along the heel and outsole for serious curb appeal.
While they may look retro, the comfort is decidedly modern thanks to features like extra arch support and moisture-wicking Dri-Lex® lining to keep active feet cool and dry. As one reviewer gushed: "Cutest & most comfortable shoes!"
Price: $29.99 – $79.95
Features:
- White leather upper with color accents
- Removable contoured insole
- Dri-Lex® moisture management
- Flexible durable rubber traction outsole
Top Picks for Men‘s Hush Puppies
Gents can also count on Hush Puppies to deliver sturdy shoes crafted from rich leather and modern comfort technologies season after season.
The selection runs the gamut from laidback weekend warriors ideal for shorts and jeans to polished styles that will hold their own in both business casual and more formal settings.
These 5 picks represent the cream of the comfort shoe crop when it comes to Hush Puppies‘ line-up for men.
1. Howard Slip-On
When easygoing comfort meets timeless style, you get the Howard Slip-On. The rich vachetta leather upper develops even more character over time while the dual stretch panels allow for flexible wear right out of the box.
The pillow-soft latex foam footbed and shock absorbing heel pad provides blissful comfort even during all day use. As one repeat buyer review states: "Most comfortable shoes I‘ve owned in 64 years!"
Price: $29.99 – $99.95
Features:
- Premium vachetta leather upper
- Latex foam cushioned footbed
- Shock absorbing heel pad
- Flexible durable outsole
2. Riddick Fisherman Sandal
Ideal for sandy destinations near and far, the Riddick Fisherman Sandal delivers laidback personality with no compromise on comfort. The full grain leather strap across the toe lends polished contrast again the smooth leather upper in versatile neutrals like black and brown.
The lightweight composition ensures all-day wearability while the EVA sole brings bounce to every summery step. One pleased customer summed it up best: "Stylish comfort!"
Price: $59.95 – $89.95
Features:
- Contrast full grain & leather upper
- Comfort padded leather sock
- EVA midsole for rebound
- Lightweight flexible outsole
3. Beacon Loafer
Suave sophistication meets slip-on ease with the Beacon Loafer. Timeless penny loafer style steps up with a memory foam footbed to prevent fatigue even after hours of wear. The grippy rubber pods along the outsole prevent slips while flex grooves move fluidly with the foot. As one fan raved: "Sharp looks plus comfort!"
Price: $49.99 – $149.95
Features:
- Burnished full-grain leather
- Memory foam cushioned insole
- Textile lining wicks moisture
- Layered durable rubber outsole
4. Barth Steel Toe Oxford
When you need protective footwear tough enough for the worksite yet polished enough for the office, reach for the versatile Barth Steel Toe Oxford. The steel safety toe cap shields the foot from potential on-site accidents while the genuine leather upper brings crisp, sophisticated style.
Removable cushioned insoles allow workers to tailor comfort by adding custom orthotics if desired. As one buyer declared: "Tough shoe with the look of fine Italian leather!"
Price: $69.95 – $109.95
Features:
- Leather upper with steel safety toe
- Removable cushioned insole
- Moisture-wicking mesh lining
- Oil-resistant rubber traction outsole
5. Larson Slip-On Sneaker
Why choose between modern athletic style and dependable comfort when you can have it all with the Larson Slip-On? Bold color-blocking along the heel creates sporty edge balanced by the easy to wear slip-on silhouette.
The latest iteration of Bounce® technology brings new levels of shock absorption and energy return with every step to battle fatigue. As one repeat buyer declared: "Most comfortable sneakers I own!"
Price: $59.95 – $99.95
Features:
- Leather upper with textile accents
- Next gen Bounce® technology
- Moisture-wicking Dri-Lex® lining
- Flexible traction outsole
How Hush Puppies Stacks Up to Competitors
Hush Puppies has certainly perfected the art of melding playful style with pillowy comfort over their 60+ year tenure in the game. But how do they compare when stacked against competitors in the comfort footwear space?
Hush Puppies tends to embrace more color, personality and varied styles compared to pared back comfort brands like Allbirds and Rothys. But they still focus on quality natural materials like leather as opposed to athletic brands like Skechers and Reebok which often incorporate more synthetic textiles.
When it comes to all-day endurance, Hush Puppies proprietary comfort technologies like Bounce® and BioTrex® give them an edge over fashion-forward brands like Steve Madden. However, trend-driven competitors like Vans and Converse do offer greater versatility for casual wardrobes.
Overall, Hush Puppies strikes an ideal balance between quality comfort, diverse style selection and friendly price points averaging $50 – $150.
Getting the Perfect Fit
Now that you have a better understanding of why Hush Puppies footwear stands apart from the comfort shoe crowd, let‘s cover some tips for getting the perfect fit.
Hush Puppies offers an extensive size range to accommodate narrow, standard and wide width options for women and men. Be sure to utilize their printable fit guide to find your ideal size match.
Many styles do fit true-to-size but varations can occur between different materials like leather vs suede. Trying to decide between two sizes? Opt for the larger size for a roomier fit as the leather and latex foam materials will stretch and mold to your feet over time.
Proper fit should meet these checkpoints:
- Toes have wiggle room and don‘t touch the front
- Heel sits securely in back without slipping
- Midfoot feels comfortably snug but not tight
- No rubbing or pressure points across the foot
Take advantage of Hush Puppies 30-day fit guarantee to exchange sizes at no charge until you find your personal best fit.
Ongoing Promotions & Discounts
The Hush Puppies website offers an easily shoppable Sale section with many top styles marked up to 50% off. Discount codes and holiday sales can offer additional seasonal savings on select merchandise.
Sign up for Hush Puppy email alerts and connect on social media for first access to the latest deals and promotions.
As a classic footwear brand carried in many department stores and footwear chains, you can also keep an eye out for Hush Puppies discounts from retailers like DSW, Macy‘s and Zappos.
Contacting Hush Puppies Customer Service
Hopefully this comprehensive guide offered everything you need to decide if Hush Puppies comfortable and colorful kicks deserve a spot in your casual footwear lineup!
But if any other questions come up along your shopping journey, the friendly and knowledgeable Hush Puppies customer service team is here to help.
By Phone:
- United States: 1-866-699-7365 (Monday to Friday 8am – 9pm EST; Weekends 9am – 6pm EST)
- Canada: 1-888-214-0516 (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm EST)
By Email:
- United States: Complete contact form on HushPuppies.com
- Canada: [email protected]
- UK & Europe: [email protected]
- Australia: Complete contact form on HushPuppies.com.au
Hush Puppies Official Websites:
- United States: HushPuppies.com
- Canada: HushPuppies.ca
- United Kingdom: HushPuppies.co.uk
- Australia: HushPuppies.com.au
Wishing you many happy steps ahead in your cool and comfy Hush Puppies!
